Letters to the Editor: Lawsuit plaintiffs laud mural decision

We are pleased for the people of Maine that Gov. LePage relented and has allowed the History of Maine Labor mural by Judy Taylor to be put back on display in a Maine state building.

This is a clear and decisive victory not only for the First Amendment, the artist and the people of Maine, but also for the people who rightly opposed the governor’s seizing the mural from where it hung in the Maine Department of Labor until 2011.

Additional Photos

This mural depicting the history of labor in Maine, which was removed from a state office building in 2011, is now displayed in the state museum. Imbrogno Photography photo courtesy of Judy Taylor Studio

We were very pleased to see that the state acknowledged the mural was primarily paid for by Reed Act funds and that the terms of the act must be respected. The federal government was very clear that it did not approve of the LePage administration’s removing and hiding the mural. The mural’s disposition now complies with the terms of the U.S. Department of Labor’s firm but generously moderate 2011 letter on the matter.

After the last round of litigation, our lead attorney, Jeff Young, suggested the Maine State Museum would be an appropriate site for displaying the mural.

We are grateful to new museum director Bernard Fishman and his staff for making the overture to show the mural and to new Maine Department of Labor Commissioner Jeanne Pacquette for making this possible.

On behalf of all the plaintiffs in this suit, we would like to thank everyone who stood up against the seizing of the mural and stood with us until the ethical, moral and governmental violation was remedied.

There is still more to be done, but this victory marks a great moment for the people of Maine and free speech in America.

John Newton

Portland

Rob Shetterly

Brooksville

Alternate-side parking way to address snow ban blues

As a concerned Portlander affected by the parking restrictions under the “snow ban,” I feel compelled to reach out to fellow citizens also affected by this punitive rule.

According to the ban, the only way the streets can be cleared is when there are no cars parked on them, forcing those of us who have no off-street option to figure one out in a hurry, which often involves walking far distances in inclement weather and paying for overnight parking when free options are not viable.

Many cities that deal routinely with heavy snowfall, including Buffalo, N.Y., Duluth, Minn., and Madison, Wis., offer their citizens a reasonable, fair solution to clearing the streets, which is alternate-side parking.

In fact, Portland effectively employs this very solution for street cleaning, and we can do exactly the same thing for snow removal. It is as simple as alerting city residents on which side of the street they can park during a snowstorm and switching to the opposite side the following day.

This way, we can continue to park on the street and we can have our streets cleared in a timely manner.

We won’t have to be inconvenienced by having to move our cars to a faraway lot; we won’t have to drive on dangerous roads in the middle of a snowstorm; and we won’t have to figure out how to get home at night and back again early the following morning during these episodes of inclement weather when no one should be out in the snow.

This is a simple solution that will make winter living in Portland appreciably better. It makes sense. Now it’s time for the mayor and the City Council to act out of fairness and safety for its citizens and end this unfair, discriminatory and disruptive policy.

Ben Schmidt

Portland

Charter school panel merits kudos for its high standards

Our children deserve the best schools we can provide for them. The Maine Charter School Commission was acting under this common-sense philosophy when it approved only one of five proposals for new charter schools.

Those who start a charter school are entrusted with millions of public dollars and with the education, health and safety of other people’s children. Such responsibilities should only be given to those who clearly demonstrate the capacity to fulfill them.

Our organization works to support entities like the Maine Charter School Commission that approve and oversee charter schools. We did not work directly with Maine’s commission on these recent decisions. However, we are greatly concerned that Gov. Le-Page has condemned the commission for upholding high standards (“Le-Page blasts charter school commission, teachers union,” Jan. 10).

As a nation, we can only improve educational opportunities for children if we are creating better schools. We cannot create more good schools by opening more failing schools. Fortunately, the Maine Charter School Commission realizes this basic fact and is doing its best to provide only good new schools for Maine’s children.

Greg Richmond

president, National Association

of Charter School Authorizers

Chicago

‘Bells for Babies’ ceremony will mark toll of abortion

“Bells for Babies” is a national public remembrance for the 53,000,000 babies who have died in the United States over the past 40 years through surgical abortions.

At noon on Tuesday, all churches are encouraged to ring their bells 53 times, one for each million babies whose lives have ended.

On this day, prayers are encouraged, for families to hold together in God’s love and discipline. May the love of God, our Creator of life, and love for our fellow man prevail for our families, the sick, the elderly, our enemies and others.

May the virtues of charity and chastity (virginity, celibacy, marriage and love of spouses, children and all) prevail! May the sins of selfishness, violence, wars, perversion of human sexuality (masturbation, fornication, adultery and homosexuality), unforgivingness, the rejection of spouses and children, unborn or born, cease.

Anyone anywhere is encouraged to join in prayer, at home, on the road, at work, in school, at church and other places for Jesus’ love, forgiveness, mercy and peace in individuals, families and communities and among nations.

“Bells for Babies” is encouraged by the Daughters of Isabella, Mary Magdalene Circle No. 639. Tuesday is the 40th anniversary of legalized abortions.

St. Mary’s Church of Presque Isle will ring the bells at noon. Other prayers will be recited in the church. All are welcome.

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